Health Sciences Programs

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Student Grievance Procedure

A student grievance is an assertion or claim by a student or applicant for enrollment that a particular rule, or set of rules, established by a local, state, or federal law or regulation, or contractual agreement has been violated by the institution and/or its representative(s). The procedure is available for use by any student or applicant for enrollment who believes that they have been subjected to unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, handicap, age, or sex.

First Level

Any student or applicant for enrollment with a grievance should first attempt to resolve the problem with the appropriate activity staff or program faculty.

Second Level

If the grievance cannot be resolved with staff/faculty as specified at the first level within ten (10) working days, the grievant should contact the immediate supervisor.

Third Level

If the grievance cannot be resolved at the second level within ten (10) working days the grievant should contact the President, or Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. The Vice President, as appropriate, will review the grievance with the supervisor or administrator and attempt to resolve the grievance informally.

If the grievance cannot be resolved informally, the grievant will be asked to state the grievance in writing and a formal hearing will be scheduled within ten (10) working days of receipt of the written complaint. A staff or faculty member being grieved shall have the opportunity to respond in writing. The Vice President, as appropriate, will conduct the hearing.

The hearing will include the grievant(s) and the person(s) toward whom the grievance is directed. Each shall be entitled to: (1) Representation of their choice, including legal counsel when mutually agreed, (2) the right to present witnesses and evidence, and (3) the right to question opposing witnesses. Official minutes of the hearing will be recorded, and upon request, available to any person party to the hearing. The Vice President, as appropriate, shall have five (5) working days after the hearing to render a written decision.

Fourth Level

If the grievance cannot be resolved at the third level within fifteen (15) working days, the grievant may seek a review with the College Superintendent. A copy of the stated grievance and minutes of the hearing, if any, will be submitted to the Superintendent for review. The Superintendent shall have ten (10) working days to render a written decision.

Fifth Level

If the grievance cannot be resolved at the fourth level within ten (10) working days, the grievant may seek a review before the College Board of Trustees at its next regularly schedule meeting.

A record of the grievance may only be entered into a classified staff member’s personnel file in compliance with Article 5.3 of the Classified Employee’s Contract. A record of the grievance may only be entered into a certificated staff member’s personnel file in compliance with Article 5.D.4.c of the Certificated Employee’s Contract. A record of the grievance may only be entered into a student’s cumulative file at the student’s request.